Study undertaken by TOURISTICS and Shoreplan Engineering Limited 1
Study included: Review of existing recreational boating facilities in Bruce and Grey Counties An analysis of trends in recreational boating and marinas An operational review of Port Elgin Harbour Marina A financial review of the marina Recommendations for facilities and services at the marina A capital development plan 2
Number of Marinas Port Elgin Harbour Strategic Assessment Amenities and Services at 18 Marinas in Bruce & Grey Counties 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 Amenities and Services at Port Elgin Harbour (Not at Port Elgin Harbour) Having more 46 ft.+ slips will be key, as trend is to boats of greater length 3
Number of Marinas Port Elgin Harbour Strategic Assessment Amenities and Services at 18 Marinas in Grey & Bruce 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 Amenities and Services at Port Elgin Harbour (Not at Port Elgin Harbour) With trend to bigger boats, there will be need for slips with 50 amp power 4
Comparison of Selected Boating Facilities Port Elgin Harbour Bruce and Grey seasonal slips occupied 78.0% 90.9% % of slips <26 ft. 33.6% 13.8% % of slips 26 ft. to <30 ft. 9.0% 13.4% % of slips 30 ft. to <36 ft. 35.8% 39.0% % of slips 36 ft. to <46 ft. 21.6% 30.2% % of slips 46 ft. and over 0% 3.6% % of total slips un-serviced slips % of slips with 50 amp. power 42.5% 22.8% 0% 6.7% To remain competitive there is need to: reduce number of slips <26 ft. add slips 46 ft. and over reduce number of un-serviced slips add 50 amp power 5
Slip with service Unserviced slip Comparison of Rates and Fees Pump out per tank Daily transient fee Daily launch ramp fee Haulout/ launch fee Outside winter storage Highest $91.00/ft $59.80/ft $20.00 $1.95/ft $15.00 $13.25/ft $52.90/ft Lowest $48.19/ft $42.50/ft $14.70 $1.50/ft $5.00 $6.67/ft $8.64/ft Port Elgin $65.91/ft $59.80/ft $14.70 $1.82/ft $8.85 $10.00/ft $8.72/ft To remain competitive there is need to: reduce rate for un-serviced slips keep rates for serviced slips in line with others in seasonal market area 6
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Dock Length Hydro & water Seasonal Slip Occupancy at Port Elgin Harbour Marina 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 B 32 to 40 Yes 92% 92% 92% 95% 90% 92% C 32 to 40 Yes 100% 100% 92% 95% 90% 95% H 30 Yes 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% G 20 to 30 Partial 95% 100% 74% 84% 82% 80% F 24 to 28 No 63% 77% 58% 53% 55% 52% I 20 No 88% 93% 60% 68% 72% 70% Considered profitable by industry norms Not considered profitable by industry norms To increase occupancy there is a need to: increase number of longer docks (30 ft. +) decrease number of shorter docks (<29 ft.) 8
Number of Power and Sail Boaters Port Elgin Harbour Strategic Assessment Over next 20 years the age profile of power and sail boaters in the seasonal market area will change dramatically Projected Growth in Power and Sail Boaters in Areas with Highest Potential 25000 20000 65 and over - increase 15000 25 to 34 - increase, decrease, then increase again 10000 Will be need to provide wider, more stable docks to cater to older boaters 5000 0 2017 2019 2021 2023 2025 2027 2029 2031 2033 2035 2037 25 to 34 35 to 44 45 to 54 55 to 64 65+ 9
Number of Power & Sail Boaters Port Elgin Harbour Strategic Assessment Overall number of male and female power and sail boaters will increase from 80,600 in 2017 to 94,300 by 2037, with slight decrease between 2027 and 2030 95,000 90,000 85,000 80,000 Projected Annual Growth in Power and Sail Boaters in Areas with Highest Potential Potential to add new boaters will decrease - increase efforts to retain existing seasonal boaters 75,000 70,000 Year 10
Projected Number of Boats by Length Port Elgin Harbour Strategic Assessment For Port Elgin Harbour Marina to continue to attract its fair share of boaters It will be necessary to Increase number of docks 36 to <46 in length Add docks 46 or more in length 35,000 30,000 25,000 20,000 15,000 10,000 5,000 0 Projected Growth in Ontario Power and Sail Boats by Length (2017 to 2037) 2017 2022 2027 2032 2037 26 ft. to <30 ft. (8 m. to <9 m.) 30 ft. to <36 ft. (9 m. to <11 m.) 36 ft. to <46 ft. (11 m. to <14 m.) 46 ft. and over (14 m. or more) 11
Percent Increase 2017 to 2037 Port Elgin Harbour Strategic Assessment By 2037 Ontario boats will generate much larger share of transient boats visiting Port Elgin Harbour Marina To accommodate larger boats marina will need to provide more longer slips Percentage Increase in Number of Boats in Ontario, Michigan and Ohio by Length (2017 to 2037) 120 100 80 60 40 A number of which should have 50 amp power 20 0 20 ft. to <26 ft. (6 m. to <8 m.) 26 ft. to <30 ft. (8 m. to 9 m.) 30 ft. to <36 ft. (9 m to <11 m.) 36 ft. to <46 ft. (11 m. to <14 m.) 46 ft. and over (14 m. or more) Length of Boat Ontario Michigan Ohio 12
Current system of organization and and operation of Port Elgin Harbour Marina should continue Based on 2016 occupancy casual staff number low - 7 Mid may to Mid June - 9 Mid June to Labour Day - 11 Consider offering Harbour Master 3 year contract to promote stability and allow for smoother transition from one year to next with new programs and policies 13
Percent Port Elgin Harbour Strategic Assessment Boater's Perception of Contact with Marina Management and Casual Staff 40 35 30 25 Ease of contacting marina management 20 15 10 Follow-up after contacting marina management Ease of dealing with casual marina staff Response of casual marina staff to request 5 0 1 - No Need for Change 2 3 4 5 - Great Need for Change Level of Need for Change Overall boaters are happy with marina management and casual staff 14
Amenity/Service Percentage in Favour Some combination of seasonal and transient slips 98.5% Docks with 30 amp power and water 88.5% Internet/WiFi 84.6% Pump out station 82.3% Restaurant/bar/lounge 81.5% Fuel dock 80.8% Strongly Favoured All of these strongly favoured amenities and services are currently available at marina Boaters would like more reliable WiFi service 15
Amenity/Service Lookout/observation deck (at end of south or north break wall Boater s store (chandlery offering products of interest to boaters) Percentage in Favour 73.8% 73.1% Outdoor winter storage for boats 71.5% Mast Crane 70.8% Moderately Favoured Mobile Travel Lift 68.5% Docks with 50 amp power and water 65.4% Washroom, shower and laundry facilities 65.4% Only winter storage and washroom and shower facilities are currently available Boater s store and docks with 50 amp power will increase revenue Mast crane & mobile travel lift could increase winter storage revenue - only profitable if large number of boats lifted Laundry facilities nice to have but not a money maker 16
Amenity/Service Percentage in Favour Rental bicycles 61.5% Tourist /visitor information Kiosk 61.5% Engine repairs/tune-up/replacements 60.0% Dock suitable for accommodating small cruise boats/ Tall ships 58.5% Electronic repairs 57.7% Story-boards illustrating history of Port Elgin waterfront 56.9% Favoured Rental bicycles and docks suitable for cruise boats/tall ships - increase revenue Information kiosk and story boards - increase length of stay for transient boaters Marina too small to support these on-site repair services 17
Amenity/Service Percentage in Favour Slips for charter fishing operators/tour boat operators 56.6% Small boat rental facility (canoes/kayaks, paddleboards) 56.2% Some combination of on-site and off-site parking 53.1% Sail/canvas repair s/replacements 51.5% On-site parking only 51.5% Hull repairs/refinishing (steel, fiberglass, wood) 50.8% Favoured Separate slips for charter fishing/tour boat operators and small boat rentals - increase revenue Marina too small to support these on-site repair services 18
Review of financial statements from 2009 to 2016 indicates Port Elgin Harbour Marina is a well run marina Marina operates within industry norms for major revenue and expense line items Port Elgin s average annual Net Income as percentage of Total Revenue at 10.9% compares very well with other marinas of a similar size (11.5% - highest) (7.8% - lowest) Conduct an annual survey of marina fees in Bruce & Grey Counties to stay competitive 19
Summary of Potential Sources of Increased or New Revenue Longer slips with 50 amp power Tour boats/cruises/tall Sips - would require handicapped access from docks Non-motorized boat rentals - in partnership with local business Bicycle rentals - in partnership with local business Concierge service for seasonal boaters Concierge service for transient boaters - in partnership with local business When reasonably priced there is market for concierge services 20
Summary of Potential Sources of Increased or New Revenue Coin laundry service Vending machines Restaurant/bar/lounge when lease is up for current facility gauge interest of local business operating seasonal satellite operation Learning experiences in partnership with Port Elgin Yacht Club or local Power and Sail Squadron 21
Recommended Facilities and Services, Required Budget and Priority Replace Dock G and include 46 foot slips with 50 amp power; this should involve reducing number of 20, 24 and 28 foot slips - $1,400,000 High Priority Add 50 amp power to 50% of 40 foot slips at south end of basin (Docks B&C) - $75,600 High Priority Replace all remaining slips in north end of basin (Docks H, F & I) with docks of similar quality to those in south end of basin including 30 amp service for most 28 ft. slips - $1,062,600 High Priority Boarding docks at launch ramp - $68,600 Medium Priority Provide winged security gates at entrance to each main dock at north end - $44,800 - Medium Priority Install web cam system in strategic locations throughout the harbour - $7,000 Medium Priority Improve quality of WiFi service - No budget allowance Medium Priority See Table 24 Estimated costs (include 15% design cost + 25% construction contingency ($2017) 22
Recommended Facilities and Services, Required Budget and Priority Additional lighting on Docks I, H, F - $42,000 Medium Priority Provide security fencing around winter stored boats at north end of harbour - $23.80/metre Medium Priority Improve access to the Lake at north end of harbour for use by rental or personally owned non-motorized boats - $54,600 Medium Priority Replace haul out structure - $504,000 Low Priority Purchase or lease a mobile travel lift - $560,000 Low Priority Purchase or lease a mast crane - $22,400 Low Priority See Table 24 - Estimated costs (include 15% design cost + 25% construction contingency ($2017) 23